Listed Birstall House subject to ‘constant vandalism’ could become new homes

A Grade II listed 18th century house in Birstall subject to “constant vandalism” could soon be turned into new homes.

Clough House, located off Leeds Road, is part of a 0.9 hectare site which has been earmarked for development. If the plans are approved by Kirklees Council, 17 new homes will be brought to the derelict site and flats built in the existing houses and barn buildings.

The southern part of the site would have six bungalows to “minimise the impact” on the listed building. The existing Clough House and barn will be converted into six flats, with the buildings housing four and two houses respectively.

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A further eleven three and four bed properties will be built to the north of the plot. In addition, the site would have 30 parking spaces, a communal garden and access from both Leeds Road and Moat Hill Farm Drive.

It’s not the first time plans have been submitted for the historic home, with several schemes thrown out over the years for one reason or another.

In 2020, an application was submitted to bulldoze Clough House and replace it with 30 homes. However, local campaigning resulted in the property being listed and the application withdrawn.

According to the Design and Access Statement from Acumen Designers and Architects: “The site has been left in a derelict state since the 2020 outline application as the house was stripped for demolition prior to listing.

“The site has been subject to constant vandalism since it was left vacant, despite the applicants’ best efforts to keep the site safe.”

More plans were submitted in 2022, this time to build 17 properties and convert the said house and outbuilding, but this never came to fruition due to design issues.

The design and access statement concludes: “This site has several constraints and any proposal must take account of the listed buildings on the site.

“We have used the listed buildings as an opportunity to produce a design proposal that responds sensitively whilst providing much needed housing in the area. The proposal is a celebration of the existing built heritage and sees a dilapidated building brought back into beneficial use.

“The construction of the new home is essential to ensure that the renovation of the existing home can be carried out in a viable and pragmatic manner.”

The target date for a decision on the plans has been set at 24 September 2024.

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